A few critics, have stated the subgenre of horror comedies don’t work, they are lame and duds, well they must have overlooked or to even consider some classics such as Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein [1948] or Young Frankenstein [1974] and Shaun of the Dead [2004]; now to clarify this movie is not a classic, nor ever become one, it is worn-down comedy, and in many areas feels forced. However, to label the entire subgenre as wasteful is foolish and highly narrowminded, films do not need to be serious all time, though laughs need solid set-ups and ideal banter among the actors and their roles. Nevertheless, when spoofing is deployed, it can become difficult as it often blurred between outright manipulation of famous scene versus homage; herein there’s at least times this film spoofs other cinematic moments. Robert Ben Garant (The Veil [2016]) and Thomas Lennon, who worked together on several comedies such Reno 911 as screenwriters and director they repeat that formula as they shared the responsibilities while earning distribution from Gravitas Ventures and recently taken up residency on many streaming services.
We have a married couple, Jack (Rob Corddry (Warm Bodies [2013])) and Vanessa (Leslie Bibb (Flight 7500 [2014])) that have moved into a fixer-upper house, actually the Property Brothers would likely pass on this dilapidated place. The exterior is covered with gang symbols and plenty of colorful graffiti and the inside has bloodstains and deteriorated walls. At first it seems as quirky & normal with Vanessa clearly expecting their first child and Jack is focused on a mysterious lamp found in the attic, oh there’s come and go as he pleases neighbor F’resnel (Keegan-Michael Key (Freaks of Nature [2015])). He does his best to propel the comedy tone, especially noting their new home is known as House of Blood, among a few other choice names. It really doesn’t take too long for anyone to realize things aren’t going smoothly, demonic forces and possession have taken hold of the house and Vanessa, especially when boxes start to stack mysteriously in rooms and then Jack has a visitation with a demonic naked old woman which leads into a subplot of twisted but failed disposal. Then there’s two bumbling and very annoying officers Mickey (Rob Huebel) and Ron (Paul Scheer), who later team up with the most unorthodox priests from the Vatican Father Sebastian (Robert Ben Garant) and Father Padrigo (Thomas Lennon). Meanwhile lending a hand is Vanessa’s looney and spacey sister Marjorie (Riki Lindhome (The Wolf of Snow Hollow [2020])) who’s more spacey and highly progressive minded free thought individual due to all the cannabis being smoked. There are no true scares and Corddry does his best to deliver a likeable but goofball character to the viewers, which is successfully done and Bibb allows the sinister side to reveal itself in the latter half of the film. The film follows the common haunted house meets demonic possession tropes as Jack battles through devilish consequences.
As mentioned earlier, the film gives affirming nods to many films, and even spoofs others, most have identified six horror movies and how it was done, however this is incorrect as there eight instances which actual clearly occur on the screen. First, the six others noted, Poltergeist [1982] which boxes keep rearranging themselves in the house just like the chairs in the kitchen had done; then Rosemary’s Baby [1968] and It’s Alive [1974] note the parody to a demonic and killer baby. Next, and obviously the possession which occurs has a few nods The Exorcist [1973] and if course, The Omen [1976] with the mental bond and protection from the dog for the woman, namely the unborn. Lastly, many point to an evil house similar to The House of the Devil [2009], although to be very fair any spooky possessive house could fit nicely into this reference, such as The Amityville Horror [1979]. Now, as for the additional two movies, first Scream [1996] when the two officers tase/shock each other repeated just as Billy and Stu did in the third act of that said flick and then The Shining [1980] in regard to the old naked woman have romantic interlude with the character Jack, i.e., Jack Nicholson.
There’s quite a bit in this film this film that does distract from sheer enjoyment, and a lot of it was completely avoidable, such as enough of the repeating of silly jokes or gags. I took the time to view the film with others especially since humor is often more subjective, Keegan-Michael Key attempts for some interesting twists for laughs working often off of Corddry’s deadpan performance, but it feels forced, lacking that pure free flow of chemistry. The film does do a lot of padding, with awkward scenes that truly have no placement or reasoning for to the storyline. Such as at the 37.56 mark there’s a scene of the two police officers and the two priests, which the film really doesn’t need, it is a complete waste of everyone’s time. The actors even seem to be disconnected from the scene that encompasses eating and drinking to venturing to a strip club for more T&A finishing at 42.23, nearly 5-minutes of worthless time consume. Then the scene sort of repeats at 50.06 with Jack and Key doing similar actions worthless scene thankfully lasting only 21-seconds. I won’t even really get too deep to the round table throw-up/ gag scene which serves no purpose. If this modern-day humor, please I refrain from enjoying anymore of it.
Let’s clarify that Hell Baby is not a complete failure, and that the movie contains some ghastly gory scenes and Riki Lindhome’s choice to do full frontal nudity, however it attempts to strive in two directions at once hence likely to limit widespread audience appeal. As film works to past through the comedy and incorporate the parody of other films, as Airplane (1980) did in its heyday. The actors did work to play up their performances, however it appears it is often a loose structure lacking a completed script that ultimately condemns the movie into head scratching missed opportunity.
TAGLINES:
- The Devil got a baby mama.
- They ignored the legend, they missed the signs, but the truth can’t be denied. Get ready for a tiny little bundle of terror.
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2318527/
IMDb Rating: 4.9/10
Baron’s Rating: 4.5/10